The South West Monsoon is at our door-steps. As is normally the case this will be preceded by the pre-monsoon showers. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorm in Goa on May 12 and 13. However it is noted that the pre-monsoon works has not commenced in several municipal areas across the state. Given the time it takes to complete the pre-monsoon works like cleaning the drains, trimming the trees and work on the electricity poles, it should have commenced in the right earnest latest by the month of February. But this has not been the case.
As a result in several municipal wards, it is observed that the works are being carried out even when we are well into the monsoon season. This causes great inconvenience to the citizens as it leads to flooding. It is learnt that a councilor of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has reportedly accused the chairperson of laxity in executing the pre-monsoon works at New Vaddem raising concern about flooding during the upcoming monsoon. It is necessary to take up such work on a priority basis which has not been the case. It is understood that according to the MMC chairperson the work was not started due to the Model Code of Conduct for the 2024 general elections.
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections. It is a set of norms which deal with matters including speeches, meetings, processions, election manifestos, polling and general conduct. It has evolved with the consensus of political parties and helps to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on the announcement of the election schedule and remains in force till the end of the electoral process. The question that arises is whether carrying out pre-monsoon work should be affected by the Model Code of Conduct. In Goa the Model Code of Conduct came into force on April 19 and will continue till the results are out which is June 4. Obviously the pre-monsoon works cannot wait till this date.
